UK Tier 4 Student Visa Rule Changes: Maintenance Fund Requirements - New UK Visa Rules 1st July 2014

Effective 1st July 2014, there is going to be a change in the maintenance funds (often spoken as "living cost") that are required to be shown for UK student visa purposes (Tier 4 Visa):

UK Student Visa - Maintenance Funds Requirements
Main Applicants (students who have a CAS):

• £9180 (£1020 multiplied by 9 months) if the UK University is in London (inside of inner London boroughs) 

eg. if you have a study offer and CAS from University College London (UCL), LSE or University of Westminster or any London Colleges, you will need to show £9180 towards living costs

• £7380 (£820 multiplied by 9 months) if the University is outside London (outside of inner London boroughs)

eg. if you have a study offer and CAS from a British University (including a University in England) outside of inner London Boroughs like the University of Manchester, University of Birmingham, Durham University, Aston University, or from a University in Wales (like Cardiff University, Bangor University or other Universities in Wales) or from a University in Scotland (like the University of St Andrews, University of Glasgow, University of Edinburgh, and other Universities in Scotland), you will need to show £7380 towards living costs

The above funds have to maintained for at least 28 days before you can apply for a UK student visa. This amount is over an above your tuition fee at your selected University less the amount you have already paid to the University and which reflects on your CAS.

If however you are applying for a UK student visa before 1st July 2014, the following (current) rule applies:

• £9000 (£1000 multiplied by 9 months) if the UK University is in London (inside of inner London boroughs) 

• £7200 (£800 multiplied by 9 months) if the University is outside London (outside of inner London boroughs)

The information in the UK visa form will also change. Similarly, please check your CAS (received from the UK University) again so that it reflects the right amount.

You may also wish to read:

UK Student Visa Rule Changes. BID Introduced. Effective March 2015

Indian students will face UK visa interview from 31st July 2012

Indian students will face UK visa interview from 31st July 2012

UK Border Agency may invite Tier 4 UK (Student) Visa applicants for an interview to determine whether to award an entry clearance (or grant you a visa to study in the UK). UK Visa interviews will begin on or after 31st July 2012. If students do not attend the visa interview, they may face a visa refusal.


Full ministerial statement about student visa interviews and genuine student rule is available here.


Students joining UK Universities in September / October 2012 intake will possibly be the first ones to face these interviews.


The 9th July 2012 update on the UKBA website suggests that a student could be asked numerous questions about a student's immigration and education history, study and post-study plans, and financial circumstances. Student may face a visa refusal if the visa officer is not satisfied with the genuineness of the student. The update also mentioned that up to 14000 students are expected to be interviewed over a one year period.


We believe that the visa interview will primarily have the following key objectives:
a. whether the student is able to communicate well in English
b. whether the selected course of study at the selected UK Institution is justifiable
c. whether the student's objective is to genuinely study (and not work)
d. whether the student's documentation is appropriate (genuine)


The UK visa interview will NOT be for all (Indian) students.


Thus, students having good academic scores, good IELTS score (typically -- 6.0 overall and above for Masters, MBA, other PG courses; 5.0 overall and above for Bachelors and other UG courses), and meeting the financial requirements (of being able to prove having adequate finance covering the full tuition fee and maintenance funds) may not even face an interview. (Note: these are perceptional thoughts; there may certainly be more factors that the British High Commission may wish to assess in an applicant).  


Students with long gap years between studies (barring MBA programmes that require adequate work experience) or students having low academic and/or IELTS score or who have selected a different course progression (eg. BCom students applying for MSc Hospitality Management) may have a higher chance of being called for a UK visa interview.   


Again, the fact remains, if a student has wisely selected the study option, ideally the student need not worry about the interview. Really, what they wish to assess is your true motivation (to study) and that you have not lied on the UK visa application form.

Here is what we expect the UK Tier 4 visa interview questions to be (random questions order):

1. Why did you select the UK for higher studies?
2. Isn’t this course offered by any university or college in your country?
3. Why did you choose this UK university and how did you find about it?
4. Why have you selected this course? Is it relevant to your previous studies?
5. What is the location of the university/college?
6. What is your IELTS score?
7. Your score is low. Will you be able to understand the studies?
8. Your academic score seems to be very low. Why do you think your University has offered you an admission?
9. What is the scope of your course?
10. Why are you taking this course?
11. What is the course structure? (Course content)
12. Do you intend to work in the UK after completion of your studies?
13. What do you intend to do after completion of your studies?
14. What are your future plans?
15. What benefit will this course bring to you?
16. How much money can you earn after your completion of studies?
17. Are you aware about the part-time work rules in the UK for students? Will you be willing to work part-time if you get an opportunity?
18. How many hours of study per week is suggested by your University?
19. Where will you stay in the UK? Are you going to live in private accommodation? Have you booked any UK accommodation?
20. Who is your sponsor? How much do they earn in a year?
21. What is the source of income of your sponsor?
22. Do you have any relative or friend in the UK?
23. What is the course commencement date?
24. What will be the total cost of studies per year?
25. What will you do during the off period/semester?
26. How much money is available for your stay in the UK?
27. Have you researched your career prospects?
28. Tell me about some Companies that can hire you after finishing your course in the UK
29. Tell me about the place where you university is?
30. If you get an employment opportunity in the UK after your studies, will you be willing to take that up?

Good luck to students!